LAO ISO 639-3
Lao
ພາສາລາວ (Phasa Lao) Autonym
A language of Laos
- ISO 639
- lao
- Alternate Names
- Eastern Thai, Lao Wiang, Lao-Lum, Lao-Noi, Lao-Tai, Laotian, Laotian Tai, Lum Lao, Phou Lao, Rong Kong, Tai Lao
- Autonym
- ພາສາລາວ (Phasa Lao)
- Population
- 4,230,000 in Laos, all users. L1 users: 3,430,000 in Laos (2015 census). , based on ethnicity. L2 users: 800,000. Total users in all countries: 4,505,160 (as L1: 3,705,160; as L2: 800,000).
- Location:
- Widespread throughout Mekong river valley, south to the Cambodia border.
- Language Status
- 1 (National). Statutory national language (2003, Constitution, Article 89).
- Classification
- Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
- Dialects
- Luang Prabang, Vientiane (Wiang Jan), Savannakhet, Pakse, Lao-Kao, Lao-Khrang. Dialect subgroup with Northeastern Thai [tts] of Thailand.
- Typology
- SVO; 23 consonants, 20 vowels, 3 diphthongs; tonal (6 tones).
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Fully developed. Bible: 1932–2012.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Lao
- Writing
- Lao script [Laoo].
- Other Comments
- The Lao Kao migrated to Thailand and are in Nan, Loei, Saraburi, and elsewhere. Buddhist, Christian, traditional religion.
Also Spoken in
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Argentina
Language Name
Lao
User Population
2,000 in Argentina (2018). , based on nationality.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Australia
Language Name
Lao
User Population
9,980 in Australia (2016 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Canada
Language Name
Lao
User Population
12,700 in Canada (2016 census).
- Location
- Banteay Meanchey province: 3 enclaves between Thai border and Sisophon city; Prey Veng province; Stung Treng province: between Laos border and Kong river; Svay Rieng province.
- Language Status
- 6b (Threatened) View other languages of Cambodia
Language Name
Lao
User Population
18,500 in Cambodia (2009 UNSD).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of New Zealand
Language Name
Lao
User Population
1,280 in New Zealand (2013 census).
- Location
- Scattered.
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. Buddhist. View other languages of Thailand
Language Name
Lao
User Population
60,200 in Thailand (2010 census).
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of United States
Language Name
Lao
User Population
153,000 in United States (2015 census).
- Location
- Scattered.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. Buddhist, traditional religion. View other languages of Vietnam
Language Name
Lao
User Population
17,500 in Viet Nam (2019 census). , based on ethnicity.
Map
Location: Widespread throughout Mekong river valley, south to the Cambodia border.
Size and Vitality
Click to enlarge with explanationPlace in Language Cloud
Click to enlarge with explanation